Why You Should Meet the Dog Before You Adopt

Here at Raskel’s Rescue, we have a policy: before adopting, we want you to come meet the dog first.

Why?

Because a photo is just a snapshot in time. A bio can tell you what we know about a dog, and a picture can show you how adorable they are—but neither can tell you how it feels when you meet them.

Sometimes the dog who looks perfect on paper isn’t your dog.

And sometimes the dog you would have scrolled right past turns out to be your heart dog.

I’m Kirstyn, a Raskel’s Rescue employee, and my newest dog is the perfect example.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a huge dog person. I am also, admittedly, a lazy-dog person.

Listen, I work with dogs all day, every day. When I get home, the last thing I want to do is spend another three hours figuring out how to entertain a dog who is bouncing off the walls. I like my dogs big, cuddly, and perfectly content to take up most of the couch.

Naturally, I love mastiffs.

So I had my next dog all planned out. I knew exactly what I wanted:

A mastiff.
A female.
At least a year and a half old.
And, most importantly, LAZY.

I was in no rush. I figured eventually the right dog would come through our doors.

And then Bourbon happened.

No, I did not drink too much bourbon and accidentally adopt the wrong dog—although I suppose that's not entirely outside the realm of possibility.

Bourbon is the dog.

And Bourbon checked approximately NONE of my boxes.

He’s a male.

He’s a Shepherd/Pit mix.

He was only about a year old.

He’s smart.

He has energy.

And he is definitely, absolutely, unquestionably not a mastiff—although his DNA test says he is 1% Dogue de Bordeaux, so apparently he would like partial credit.

On paper, Bourbon was a dog I never would have considered.

Then I met him.

There was just something about him. He was incredibly sweet, amazing with other dogs, funny, affectionate, and somehow I just knew.

This was my dog.

So I brought home the dog who was basically the opposite of everything I thought I wanted.

And you know what?

He fits into our home perfectly. He loves our other dogs. He makes me laugh. He is an incredible companion, and I truly could not have asked for a better addition to our family.

I didn't get the dog I was looking for.

I got the dog I needed.

And that is exactly why we encourage people not to choose their new best friend based solely on a photo, a breed, an age, a size, or a description on our website.

Browse the website. Fall in love with some cute faces. Make a list if you want.

But then come meet the dogs.

Meet the one you think you want—and maybe meet the one you never would have considered. Spend some time with them. See how they make you feel. Let them show you who they really are.

Because your perfect dog might not look anything like the dog you pictured in your head.

Your heart dog might be the unexpected one.

Mine certainly was.